Project: Whitewater park
What is a Greenway?
As defined by the Conservation Fund, "Greenways are corridors of protected public and private land established along rivers, stream valleys, ridges, abandoned railroad corridors, utility right-of-way, canals, scenic roads, or other linear features. They link recreational, cultural, and natural features, provide pathways for people and wildlife, protect forests, wetlands, and grasslands and improve the quality of life of everyone."
What is a Whitewater Park?
Whitewater parks are whitewater courses where rocks are placed strategically in the streambed to create waves, eddy lines and currents, thereby enhancing the whitewater qualities of the river. Whitewater parks are a growing nationwide trend allowing boaters to practice their sport in an accessible area with a concentration of quality whitewater features in a relatively short stretch of river. In Colorado, whitewater parks are being built as the centerpiece for multi-use river parks and as vehicles to encourage responsible recreation use.
Arkansas River Whitewater Park and Greenway-Salida, Colorado
In the spring of 2000 the Arkansas River Trust undertook a small river improvement project on the Arkansas in Salida. Thanks to the generous donation of materials and labor from of a local contractor, The Arkansas River Trust oversaw in-stream and bank improvements. This first project created a more appealing and accessible site for both spectators and whitewater paddlers alike.
This improvement gave the community an exciting glimpse of the future. The Arkansas River corridor in downtown Salida has historically been one of the least attractive and least accessible sections of the Arkansas. Pinched between, a now abandoned, switching yard and rail road depot on one side and homes on the other; the banks of the Arkansas have been used as a dumping ground for concrete, building materials and all manner of trash and debris. The Arkansas River Whitewater Park and Greenway project represented an opportunity to take this neglected corridor and re-integrate the river into downtown Salida and into the collective heart of our community.
Building off the momentum of this early project, the Arkansas River Trust got underway on Phase II of the Whitewater Park Project in the early spring of 2001 and broke the ribbon on Phase II in October of 2001.
The second phase of the Whitewater Park and Greenway project represented a partnership between the Arkansas River Trust and the City of Salida. The City Council budgeted $50,000 and the Arkansas River Trust raised nearly $30,000 from private sources. Again Lowry Contracting generously donated time and materials and today the River Corridor is more accessible and attractive then it has ever been in downtown Salida.
The first section of Riverwalk was built allowing people to make their way from F St. along the river to upstream businesses. In addition, two access points were built and incorporated into instream current deflectors, allowing safe access to the river for fishermen, boaters, or anyone wishing to enjoy the waters of the Arkansas. Hundreds of tons of concrete were removed off the banks and native vegetation is being planted in its place.
A major component of Phase II was the addition of instream whitewater features. Kayakers can now walk their boats upstream of the Salida Boatramp, put in, and paddle roughly a quarter a mile of high quality whitewater features. As the site of the fifty-fourth annual FIBArk (First In Boating on the Arkansas) Festival, the Arkansas River Whitewater Park will also serve as a key venue for events.
As we head into 2002 much more is planned. Fundraising is underway for Phase III. Planned additions to the Park include: an extension of the Riverwalk into Riverside Park, bank restoration and re-vegetation in Riverside Park, and instream whitewater features downstream of the ?F? St. Bridge. To see the latest rendition of the plans for the Whitewater Park click here.
Once again the Arkansas River Trust is leading the effort to highlight the Arkansas River Corridor in downtown Salida and create a world-class greenway. The City of Salida has committed $15,000 to the project this year and the Arkansas River Trust is working hard to find the remaining funding. If you would like to support this important project you can buy an engraved brick paver that will be placed in a decorative landscape feature along the Riverwalk. Buying a brick is a way to give to this project and leave a lasting memorial to your commitment to the river. Click here for more details.